Pet Sitters

Pet sitters set their own prices, charging by the visit, the hour, or the week. They may also charge consultation fees, and additional fees on holidays. Some have special pricing plans in place, such as for emergency situations or for administering medications. Depending on the kinds of animals (sometimes pet sitters charge less to care for cats than dogs), rates across the country typically vary from $12 to $25 per visit.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the May 2018 median annual salary for "nonfarm animal caretakers" was $24,780, with the lowest 10 percent earning $18,630 or less and the top 10 percent earning $38,630 or more annually. It's likely that these salaries are not based on 40-hour work weeks, as pet sitting is highly conducive to those who wish to work part time and determine their own workload.

When Pet Sitters International (PSI) conducted a survey of annual salaries, it discovered that the range was too great to determine a median. Some very successful pet sitters earn annual salaries of more than $100,000, while others only make $5,000 a year. Though a pet sitter can make a good profit in any area of the country, a bigger city will offer more clients. Pet sitters in their first five years of business are unlikely to make more than $10,000 a year; pet sitters who have had businesses for eight years or more may make more than $40,000 a year.

According to PSI's 2018 State of the Industry Survey, based on feedback from 28 percent of the organization's approximately 6,000 member businesses, the national average for a 36-minute basic pet care visit was $19.98 in 2017, while a 30-minute dog walking session averaged $19.82. An 11-our overnight stay averaged $70.62. PSI conducts its survey every two years.

Pet sitters who work for a company usually receive benefits such as health and life insurance, sick leave, vacation days, and a savings and pension plan. Self-employed pet sitters must provide their own benefits.